News Releases

Decision Issued on Nebraska's Water Quality Standards

(Kansas City, Kan., June 25, 2012) - EPA has completed its review of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality’s new and revised water quality standards. The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires states to review water quality standards every three years and submit new or revised standards to EPA for review and approval.

The approved standards include new and revised surface water criteria to protect aquatic life and human health; new and revised public drinking water supply criteria; numeric nutrient criteria for lakes; and new use designations for four lakes.

EPA oversees the protection of water quality as required by the CWA. The Agency is working with the public, community leaders, local and state agencies to meet the growing needs and demands of our water resources.

EPA’s June 22, 2012, decision letter provides a more detailed description of EPA’s review and the basis for this action. The decision letter is available at www.epa.gov/region7/newsevents/legal.